Why have a Quiet Time is a question that we may ask or are asked. A Quiet Time is a moment of a day where we step aside to read God’s Word, Pray, but most of all to listen! A Quiet time is a spiritual discipline that requires commitment, adjustments and work. A Quiet Time is important because it was a part of the life of Jesus as He stepped aside as the scriptures says, “to be by Himself alone”. Coming out of His times alone with the Father, Jesus called people to Himself, walked on water and went to the cross! Since it was important for Jesus during His time on earth, it should be important and a great encouragement to us to follow our Lord in this spiritual discipline. Now , allow me an opportunity to testify. Recently, in my Quiet Time, the Holy Spirit reminded me that if I/we look at our earthly father to interpret or get a glimpse of the Heavenly Father we will come away with a greatly distorted view of God. Listening and reflecting on this reminder was a special time. Later that day, in God’s providence I encountered a young man who was asking great Biblical Questions and then began to be very agitated to the point of anger. He expressed what he was feeling and I asked him why he was feeling this way. He then began to describe his father and the family dynamic. I sat there listening, knowing that God through my Quiet time that very morning had prepared me for this divine encounter. We spent about 30 minutes together, shared phone numbers and he left. Later in the evening he began texting me more Bible Questions and eventually brought his younger brother into the text conversation.. The conversation is continuing! A Quiet Time MATTERS! Through this personal alone time with God, He speaks, encourages, convicts, calls, prepares and warns. Thank you Jesus for showing us the way to intimacy with the Father!
BUILDING LEADERS AND GOSPEL CONVERSATIONS
The first of many leadership development trainings was a great success! Athletes, Coaches and a College Recruiter where involved as we started this new adventure. We introduced activities, clearly modeled the activity and then broke into three smaller groups for everyone to participate. Once the activity was completed, coaches leading each of the three groups walked the athletes through a processing time by asking leading questions. The sharing increased with each question. Once the small groups finished processing they came together for a final large group discussion. Many shared what they had learned, observed and the value of the activities. When the athletes were dismissed, the coaches began saying we need to do this every week! We can call it Wisdom Wednesdays. Further conversations will be had to decide on the future frequency of “Wisdom Wednesdays”. Interacting with the athletes Gospel Conversations were had with two athletes. Several great questions were asked by both. We decided to meet in the future for more conversations. One coach shared what was on his mind concerning Biblical Principles and how he could see these meetings producing spiritual fruit. We are thankful that God has revealed where He is working and invited us to participate with Him! Praying the Lord of the Harvest will bring in the harvest this year as we lift of Jesus and cast seeds of the Gospel!
WHEN I AM WEAK, GOD IS STRONG
Thursday evening, August 31, 2023, the call comes as I’m getting out of my truck to walk the sidelines of a high school football game. “Mom is in the emergency room with blood clots in both legs!” Forty-one days later on October 10th mom is discharged from the hospital to a nursing home. During these 41 days, she has blood clots removed from right leg and during procedure doctors discover a stint in her left leg that was inserted incorrectly, from a former procedure. In an attempt to regulate and control possible stroke implications meds were administered that caused slight, although concerning, internal bleeding. Blood transfusions were a regular part of treatment every few days. She developed immunities to the blood transfusions and began to require a highly specialized and processed blood. Two weeks into stay, she, my father, older brother and younger sister tested positive for Covid. As she approached what we thought would be a discharge date, blood work came back with elevated enzymes. Once diagnosed she was rushed into emergence surgery late one evening to have her gall bladder removed. During these days of trying to minister to mom, dad and brother, my sister had her husband to care for her and trying to maintaining ministry to athletes and coaches, I became tired and drained! On Thursday afternoon October 12th, after an extremely emotional day with mom at the nursing home, I was driving to Ore City for a football game. As I drove, I was having a heart to heart with my Heavenly Father. I was expressing my tiredness and my desire to go home rather than go to the game. I asked for strength to be an encouragement to the team, to be used by Him and for safety to get home after the game. As only God can do, He allowed me to see His activity through five deep Gospel Conversations with coaches and one direct ministry opportunity with an athlete. As I drove home after the game, the Holy Spirit ministered to me by reminding me of Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 12:10, “Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” God is always at work around us! It is our job, in relationship with Him, to see where He is working and join Him. I pray you relate, rely and rejoice in Jesus today!
FALL REPORT 2023
The Fall Ministry kicked of in early August with Football and Volleyball. Each week, through the Fall, devotions were shared with 16 teams with a total of 240 athletes and 23 coaches hearing the Word of God. Two Coaches Outreach Bible Studies were facilitated with 4 coaches in each study. There is great spiritual growth taking place in these men and women. Their vision of being a spiritual mentor to their athletes and students is truly developing. There have been Gospel Conversations, coaches and athletes sharing how they are reading the Word and asking spiritual questions in abundance. In Romans 5:17, we read, “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” When the Bible and spiritual questions are being discussed, God enters those conversations and does an amazing work. Through seeds planted, harvest is taking place. Sometimes some difficult things occur to breakup the hardness of a heart so the seed can be pressed deep. Through the loss of an athlete, the team attending the funeral and consistent availability, God has brought three athletes to eternal salvation. Praise God for His faithful, steadfast love!
There have been meetings, prayer times and discussions with missionaries from Italy and Malaysia. There have been conversations with Athletic Directors concerning Leadership Mini-Camps next Summer. Discussions are taking place concerning leadership development for middle school athletes to hopefully begin in January 2024.
Ministry opportunities have come through the preaching of three funerals, preaching at four churches and providing leadership for an elementary school prayer event.
It has been an exciting Fall of ministry and walking with teams through the highs and lows of competition. Sports ministry is rewarding and heart breaking. It’s rewarding to see development of athletes and their successes. Volleyball team advances to Regional Tournament, One football team plays in by-district game and another football team plays in Area playoff game. Some of the sub-varsity teams in each sport won district. The heart break comes when teams are eliminated or their seasons end. The hurt felt by these athletes is real, especially for those who are seniors and realize their high school careers are over!
It’s rewarding see and hear athletes come to salvation in Christ Alone! It is rewarding to have athletes seek you out to say things like;
“Thank you for always being around to support us and to bring the Word of God!”
“Thank you for all you have spoken to us and giving us encouragement!”
“I remember a lot of the talks you have given and they help me!”
“I accepted the challenge to read the Bible and am trying to be consistent!”
“The kids are listening to you, please keep coming and sharing with our kids!”
“You are just as much a part of this family as any coach or athlete!”
“You are welcome and needed here!”
“Thanks for all you do to support and encourage the kids in this district!”
SUMMER MINISTRY 2023
The Summer of 2023 was filled with unique ministry opportunities. It was a great privilege to meet with five pastors to hear their stories and how churches are on mission locally and around the world. Being able to officiate three funerals for family friends was challenging, but hearing testimonies of Gospel conversations, repentance from sin and salvations is a blessing! Continued ministry to athletes and coaches by attending workouts, building relationships, praying with one another and a lot of encouragement.
Many times we get discouraged, but if we are consistent to be present, care and cast seeds of God’s Word, the Holy Spirit works within God’s timing and fruit is harvested. More on that in Fall Report!
MOVIE THEATER BECOMES MOMENTARY HOUSE OF PRAYER
I want to share an update on 150 tickets we purchased to give away for the movie, THE SOUND OF FREEDOM. I printed 150 tickets to give away through church partners. When I arrived at the theater Tuesday night August 1st, I had 37 tickets that had not been claimed. As people arrived without a ticket, I offered them one and they all were given out and greatly appreciated. Once the movie started, we tallied tickets and 123 had been redeemed. I joined the crowd to finish watching the movie and prayed often for God to touch lives. As the movie was ending, some began to leave the theater as credits rolled. I moved to the lobby to hand out info cards for Thareso Place in Lufkin, a new home for girls who have survived being sex trafficked. As I was giving these away, Mike, the theater owner came out from the lower level shaking his head and saying." You have to see this!" He grabbed my arm and led me back into the lower level. He said, "Look at how many people are still in here!, as a special message was being offered after the credits. I asked Mike if he would mind if I addressed the crowd after the special message ended. He said, "You can do anything you like." As the message ended, I eased down the isle and asked the crowd for a few minutes of their time. I asked them to consider doing something with the information they had just received from the movie and the special message at the end. I told them I would be in the lobby to hand out info cards for Thareso Place. A lady in the crowd said, "Mike, Why don't you lead us in prayer?" I turned back to the crowd and said, "I learned a long time ago that when someone askes to pray that God is at work. I invited anyone that would like to pray to join me in a corner of the theater. I also offered an opportunity for anyone needing or wanting to leave that option. No one moved so I said let's pray. When I said this, people moved across the isle to grab hands, others reached out to those in front or behind them, while others lifted their hands. As we began to pray, groups who were standing outside the theater heard what was going on and reentered the theater to join the prayer time. When the amen was said, people said amen and began to slowly leave the theater while having conversations. I passed out 88 info cards as people left. Numerous people expressed appreciation for the tickets, the prayer, the encouragement and the information. I had several conversations and one quality visit with a young man about spiritual matters. When I finally was heading out of the theater, a teenage girl who works in the concession area at the theater tapped me on the shoulder and asked for an information card and thanked me for the information. The theater owners were thrilled with what had transpired through the evening and said, "We have not experienced anything like this since THE PASSION OF CHRIST!. The following morning, I received a text from Thareso Place saying they received a commitment for a monthly donation from a Center address! They thanked us for sharing their ministry! I told them we would be praying this would be the first fruits of God's Provision from our investment in the Kingdom! If you have seen the movie, THE SOUND OF FREEDOM, and wonder as we di, “What do I do with this information? , How do I get involved?, here is a way to get involved. Checkout Tharseo Place at www.tharseoplace.org
VISIT TO CATANIA, ITALY RESULTS IN INVITATION!
In April, we visited a facility outside Catania, Italy. This facility is owned by a family who have been hosting annual camps for the purpose of sharing the Gospel. Students from all over Europe travel to this facility during the Summer to learn English. The family has a desire to enhance the sharing of the Gospel during the English Camps by utilizing American Sports and Adventure Recreation. The visit was enlightening as we toured the facilities and heard stories. We shared ideas of specific sports and activities that could be utilized within the space available on the property. As we visited with family members, a discussion occurred concerning discipleship of those who surrender their lives to Jesus as Lord and Savior. As a result of this discussion, the family will be sharing with students this Summer an opportunity to receive training in a discipleship strategy. There will be further discussion in September concerning a team going to begin the discipleship process. The goal is to train a group of leaders who can continue the process with others. The family has extended an invitation for a team to come next Summer to participate in one of the English Camps. Please join us in praying for details concerning these opportunities!
ANSWER TO PRAYER
On April 26, 2023, it was a pleasure to meet with Joe the administrator of a camp outside of Rome, Italy. Joe gave us a tour of the facility and shared the story of the camp. Joe is from Switzerland and has a great walk with the Lord and a passion to share Christ. As we came to the end of the tour, we began asking what were some long term goals for the camps and some dreams he had for development. He shared a few things that led to more questions by us. As we continued to ask and listen, he began to share some long time desires. We shared from our background of experience in the things he was sharing. Joe’s eyes lit up and a big smile came across his face and declared, “You being here is an answer to prayer! You have wisdom, experience and skills to help us in future development of building teams, unity and trust.” We have sent Joe some resources for study and consideration. Conversations continue concerning how we may return to help him build, train and utilize interactive adventure recreation elements in the camp. We also continue the conversation of helping teach and develop a discipleship strategy for camps and churches. God is at work around us all the time and it sure is exciting to see Him put things together!
VISIT TO MILANESE, ITALY
April 25, 2023 was a great day! On this day, it was a privilege and a thrill to participate in a Youth Event in Nova Milanese, Italy. Youth ( ages 18-30 having never been married) gathered from a multitude of churches to participate in worship, teaching and hearing of ministry opportunities. There were 270 youth that attended this day long event. This is an amazing number considering most Evangelical Churches in Italy consist of around 20-30 people. The worship team did an amazing job and the Biblical Preaching/Teaching was on point. The students engaged in the worship, listened intently to the messages and many took notes. We know of one young lady who surrendered her life to Christ during the day, Praise the Lord! After the event, we had supper (it lasted for about 3 hours) with the Youth Minister/Missionary of the church. During this visit, we discussed needs and plans for potential future group trips to help with children’s camps the church hosts during the Summer months. We also talked about a discipleship strategy for a new ministry association within the church. We are now praying, discussing and trying to develop a training sequence that works with the schedule of the ministry leaders. We look forward to what God reveals in preparing these leaders to be disciples who make disciples!
GOD TOUCHING COACHES THROUGH BIBLE STUDY
In Romans 10:17 the Apostle Paul instructs us that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. This verse is a corner stone of Stepstones Ministry. Only the Word of God will introduce Godly faith, draw someone to faith in Jesus and by the revelation of truth by the Holy Spirit help a follower of Christ to grow to maturity. The Fall of 2022 has been a wonderful time of studying God’s Word with coaches in two different school districts. The studies are produced and provided by Coaches Outreach, Inc. The study this semester was entitled CALL OUT!, a study of select Psalms. For 13 weeks a group of three coaches in Center, Texas met at 6:30 a.m. on Wednesdays and 14 coaches in Beckville met at 6:30 a.m. on Thursday to share out of their personal study times, pray together and encourage one another. As we shared there were questions, praises, excitement, honesty, quietness and pure joy expressed. Each week we saw God move us to a deeper appreciation of honest prayer and worship through the Psalms of David. Please be in prayer for these coaches and others that have expressed interest as we gear up for the study next semester. We will begin the second or third week in January and the study will be based out of Judges and Ruth. Below are a few of the quotes from the coaches as we finished the study for the semester.
“I HAD BEEN OUT OF CHURCH FOR OVER A YEAR. BECAUSE OF THIS STUDY, THE LEARNING, THE SUPPORT, THE FELLOWSHIP, I WAS REMINDED HOW MUCH I NEEDED TO BE IN CHURCH. I HAVE NOW FOUND A CHURCH AND AM LOVING BEING A PART AGAIN.”
“BECAUSE OF THIS STUDY, I WAS REMINDED TO STAND ON BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES AND MORALS AND NOT FOLLOW OR BE WHO OTHERS WANT ME TO BE, BUT WHO I’M CREATED TO BE.”
“BEING A PART OF THIS STUDY EACH WEEK HELPS ME TO HEAR OTHERS TALKING ABOUT SPIRITUAL THINGS AND PSALMS. WHEN I MISS, I DON’T HEAR THIS AS MUCH.”
“WE GET TO DO THIS AGAIN IN THE SPRING?”
“I NEEDED YOU AND I NEEDED THIS STUDY. THROUGH THIS STUDY I AM CLOSER TO THE LORD AND CAN BETTER LEAD MY WIFE.”
“THANKS FOR BEING HERE TO COACH THE COACHES SPIRITUALLY.”
Center Roughrider Coaches
Beckville Bearcat Coaches
Beckville Bearcat Coaches